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MU Children’s Hospital Opens New Playground

Tom Kackley
/
KBIA
The Ribbon cutting ceremony at the MU Childrens Hospital new playground

MU Children’s Hospital is trying to make getting better a little more comfortable. The hospital opened TJ’s Courtyard in a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday. TJ’s Courtyard is an area outside of the hospital where children can play and take their mind of their treatments.

MU Children’s Hospital Dr. Timothy Fete thinks areas like TJ’s courtyard are important to helping children get better sooner.

“Kids really need play and play helps them feel normal.” Fete said. “So having this opportunity really helps with their healing process.”

The courtyard sits just outside of the entrance to the hospital and features chimes, drums, mirrors and a giant globe for kids to play with. MU Children’s hospital executive director Keri Simon says starting and finishing the project has been a long process.

“We’ve been working on this for a few years,” Simon said. “It feels like it’s been a long time coming and I’m very excited to have it in place.”

There are three main sponsors for the playground, including Pascale’s Pals, the Children’s Miracle Network and Machens dealerships. The hospital says the courtyard cost around $30,000 to complete. They also said charitable donations funded the entire project.